Paris Saint-Germain 4-0 Atlético de Madrid | Group B
Goals: Fabian Ruiz (19), Vitinha (45+1), Senny Mayulu (87), Lee Kangin (90+7 pen)
Paris Saint-Germain’s bid to secure their fourth major trophy of the season began in imperious fashion as they dominated 10-man Atlético de Madrid. In the baking Los Angeles sunshine, the French giants turned up the heat at the Rose Bowl.
PSG have already won the Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France and UEFA Champions League during a historic 2024/25 campaign. And their quadruple quest continued with an emphatic display in their FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ opener.
It was also a case of no Ousmane Dembele, no problem for PSG as Luis Enrique utilized his strength in depth to make up for the absence of their injured star forward, who has netted 33 goals in 49 matches for PSG this season. Both Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia impressed up front.
Atlético had the first meaningful chance on goal in the third minute when Julian Alvarez struck just wide with a 35-yard free-kick. But that was as good as it got for the Spaniards in the first half, with Diego Simeone’s men struggling to break down the PSG defence.
The kings of Europe took a deserved lead in the 19th minute when Fabian Ruiz struck a low drive from just outside the box past a sprawling Jan Oblak and into the corner of the net. They then made it two just before the half-time break from a quality strike from Vitinha past the Atlético keeper.
PSG continued where they left off after the break with Oblak parrying a powerful effort from Kvaratskhelia onto the crossbar. Atlético thought they had pulled a goal back through Alvarez just before the hour-mark but the effort was ruled out for a foul earlier in the play.
Atlético’s hopes of a comeback then suffered a major blow in the 78th minute after Clement Lenglet was sent off after picking up two yellow cards. Inexplicably, Atleti substitute Alexander Sorloth then missed an open goal from just yards out when he skied the ball over the bar, much to Simeone’s dismay.
With three minutes remaining, PSG substitute Senny Mayulu capped the Sunday afternoon stroll with a classy strike. The French side were then awarded a penalty in added time following a handball from Robin Le Normand, with Lee Kangin converting from the spot.
Quotes
“We never know how a game will end up, especially when playing an opponent like them. Our team showed its strength. Yes, we won the Champions League, but today we showed our intensity once again. We have to be humble, continue to defend, to attack, and keep going in the same direction.”
PSG defender Marquinhos
“We tried, as always, to control the game, the ball, to make them run. We could have scored more goals, but we’re happy. We had spoken [about the penalty left to Lee Kangin]. Normally I take them. Today it was my turn to take it, but we had a deal. I’m not a forward, so I don’t need the goals. And when we’re leading like this, I leave the penalty to a forward.”
PSG midfielder Vitinha
“They are fair winners. Given their level, they’ve been better. Congratulations to them. We need to push harder, like we did in the second half, because we were a different team, playing the ball, getting into the opponent’s box, and then with the red card, they really finished us off.”
Atlético de Madrid midfielder Koke
“We expected to be able to play the same kind of game as at the Parc [des Princes last November], but it was tougher with the heat. Some plays could have gone our way, but they went their way. We have to keep working. We expected this. We had prepared our plan well. It’s a shame.”
Atlético de Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann
Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match
Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain)
